Herta, Honda Win Nashville as Palou Claims INDYCAR Championship
Streets of Nashville
・Late-race pass secures Colton Herta's second victory of 2024 – and career first oval win – in the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES finale at Nashville Superspeedway
・Alex Palou repeats as Drivers' Champion, his third title in the last four years
・Linus Lundqvist named 2024 INDYCAR Rookie of the Year
Colton Herta and Alex Palou saved their best for last, as Palou successfully defended his NTT INDYCAR SERIES Drivers' Championship and Herta won today's 2024 season finale at the Nashville Superspeedway.
Leading the championship by 33 points coming into today 17th and final race of the season, Palou's 11th-place finish secured the Chip Ganassi Racing driver's second consecutive INDYCAR title, and third in the last four years. It also is Honda's 20th Drivers' Championship in 31 seasons of INDYCAR competition.
But neither driver had an easy time of it. After running at or near the front all day in his Andretti Global Honda, Nashville resident Herta made a thrilling three-wide pass for the lead in the closing laps of today's Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, then pulled away to score his second win of 2024, and his career-first oval victory.
For Palou, issues in qualifying and an engine-change penalty left him deep in the field – 24th – for the start of today's 206-lap contest. But a strong early run saw Palou gain 10 positions in the opening stint, and his 11th-place finish was more than enough for the title; while Herta's race win vaulted him from fourth to second in the final championship standings.
Palou's teammate, Linus Lundqvist, also closed out the 2024 season in strong fashion with an eighth-place result after clinching series Rookie of the Year honors at the penultimate round in Milwaukee earlier this month. Lundqvist becomes the 23rd Honda driver to win IndyCar's Rookie honors.
Next
This weekend's Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway concludes the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The 2025 season begins March 2 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida.
What an amazing year! We made it a bit more exciting than we wanted, obviously, with the issues we had in race 2 at Milwaukee. But, what an amazing year! We were able to win three races. One didn't count at Thermal—but next year counts and that's good. And we won the championship back-to-back! Amazing job by HRC, everybody on the #10 car, and DHL.
What an amazing year! We made it a bit more exciting than we wanted, obviously, with the issues we had in race 2 at Milwaukee. But, what an amazing year! We were able to win three races. One didn't count at Thermal—but next year counts and that's good. And we won the championship back-to-back! Amazing job by HRC, everybody on the #10 car, and DHL.
The whole race, I was getting my passes done coming off the corners. I was able to drive off the middle to exit of the corners, and get the power down really well. We had a lapped car to play off of, and we had just enough room between us to go down low and get the pass [of race leader Pato O'Ward] done. I'm just so happy. The Gainbridge Group 1001 Honda has been so fast this whole weekend. We didn't get to show it in qualifying, but we knew we had a hot rod in the race today. It's been an amazing year. Second in the championship is awesome, but it gives us something to shoot for in 2025.
The whole race, I was getting my passes done coming off the corners. I was able to drive off the middle to exit of the corners, and get the power down really well. We had a lapped car to play off of, and we had just enough room between us to go down low and get the pass [of race leader Pato O'Ward] done. I'm just so happy. The Gainbridge Group 1001 Honda has been so fast this whole weekend. We didn't get to show it in qualifying, but we knew we had a hot rod in the race today. It's been an amazing year. Second in the championship is awesome, but it gives us something to shoot for in 2025.
Winning Rookie of the Year is obviously amazing. We're very proud of that, to join that list of names who have done it before me. I mean, it's a title you can only win once so happy and proud to have down that. I've made plenty of rookie mistakes, but I've also learned a lot. I think the second half of the season, we've really shown what we're capable of. I'm leaving this season extremely proud of what we've accomplished and also very hopeful for the future.
Winning Rookie of the Year is obviously amazing. We're very proud of that, to join that list of names who have done it before me. I mean, it's a title you can only win once so happy and proud to have down that. I've made plenty of rookie mistakes, but I've also learned a lot. I think the second half of the season, we've really shown what we're capable of. I'm leaving this season extremely proud of what we've accomplished and also very hopeful for the future.
In summary: Pole, Win, Drivers' Championship. All down to the superb skill, efforts and teamwork of Honda Racing Corporation and our fantastic teams. Huge congratulations to Andretti Global on their race win today and of course to the folks at Chip Ganassi Racing on Alex's third drivers' title. Huge thank you to all the men and women at Honda Racing Corporation. We are incredibly proud to represent Honda in pinnacle racing in North America. Pure teamwork, hard work, and the results speak for themselves. Now, regroup—perhaps a cheeky beer—and let's get on with the big fight for next year. We're looking forward to the challenge. Bring it on.
In summary: Pole, Win, Drivers' Championship. All down to the superb skill, efforts and teamwork of Honda Racing Corporation and our fantastic teams. Huge congratulations to Andretti Global on their race win today and of course to the folks at Chip Ganassi Racing on Alex's third drivers' title. Huge thank you to all the men and women at Honda Racing Corporation. We are incredibly proud to represent Honda in pinnacle racing in North America. Pure teamwork, hard work, and the results speak for themselves. Now, regroup—perhaps a cheeky beer—and let's get on with the big fight for next year. We're looking forward to the challenge. Bring it on.
